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I think the spirit in which this was created not only comfortably breaks the fourth wall, but comes on through the wall after shattering it. Then the project walks around to the back of the stage, goes back on set, and breaks through the fourth wall again.

This phenomenon in cinema critics circles is known as “Fourth Squared.”

Fourth Squared allows so much latitude that mugging for the camera is, technically, an impossibility.

Some cite the existence of a Fourth Cubed state, but that’s tantamount to experiencing three false awakenings during a specific lucid dream cycle. It’s extremely rare and not generally experienced.

However, a Fellini film being reviewed by Joe Bob Briggs in original form as “Mr. Bloom” does come to mind as an established gateway.

But Fourth Squared? It’s something that can be done with the right amount of focus and judging from the trailer, it appears Frank nailed the devil out of it.

The participation level here is interesting. From the trailer is appears we have everybody but Mike. That’s not something we see too often in the Rifftrax/Cinematic Titanic era. (Yes I know CT is over but you get my point.)

Can we be *ahem* FOURTHcoming (ducks) about the breaking of the fourth wall and mugging for the camera? And I shall be forthcoming in that I don’t care, whatever this is, I want to know more. Joel, Josh, Bill, Mary Jo, Gruber, AND Frank? Hmmmmm. Very interesting any way you cut it.

This looks awesome. Love seeing both Rifftrax and CT participants in the same project! Gives me hope that we’ll someday have an All-Star riff with Mike, Kevin, Bill, Joel, Frank and Trace. BTW – if that did happen, it would be personally as exciting as if a new Beatles album was discovered from the Abbey Road sessions.

$14.99 eh? For a 10 minute video and 40 minutes of “total footage” and in DVD form only? I know, I’m getting picky in my old age, but that’s a bit much even for me. Of course, if it comes down considerably or there is the 10 minute video only that can be streamed or downloaded for less, count me in.

I like them as well, but they could get with the 21st century at least. At $9.99 for a streaming/downloadable video, I’ll go along with that as they are worth a buck a minute (including credits). But $14.99 for a standard DVD?

I’m going to be really nice and believe that this is one of those “limited edition” type promotions and they’ll offer the video a little cheaper over the net at some point down the road assuming that some wiseacre doesn’t upload a copy onto YouTube first, then the jig is up.

Huh, all this jibber-jabber about the fourth wall makes me think of some projects that get so up their own butt with cleverness that they cease to be amusing to anyone but the creator(s) (hey Stephen King, I’m looking at you and your Dark Tower).

I ordered mine! I don’t care if it’s 10 minutes. It’ll be awesome. I was totally bummed when CT called it quits. That said, I want to continue to support these creative efforts so they keep producing new material.

@25 If you think of it in terms of being willing to pay $1 a minute for the video itself, then it works out to less than a buck extra per special feature. That’s still not bad, if you like features. I usually want everything.

Rifftrax charges $9.99 for a full length riffed movie you can stream on their site or download. $15 for a 10-minute DVD plus shipping is unconscionably steep. And don’t give me jazz about the 40 minutes of “extras.” I’d rather pay $15 for a 40 minute film with 10 minutes of extras. See, I have this strange habit of watching the film every time I watch the film, and the extras either once or never. The MST disc sets have the best extras around, but I can’t bring myself to watch them more than once. The main product is where my interests lie, not perks.

Books are different. Annotated volumes are charming; it adds to the experience of reading the story. Annotated MST episodes would be great, provided you can toggle the annotation.

Well @31, I’m more in the corner of @32 on this one. I also watch “features” maybe once and that is it. I’m really more perplexed by the old “standard DVD” than anything else as if we’re still living in 1997. It’s been a while since I’ve purchased ANY DVD as streaming/downloadable video is just much more convenient while my DVD collection gathers dust. It’s not quite like buying a VHS today, but it’s getting close.

However, once it becomes available for streaming/download I’ll happily buy it…for $9.99 or less.

@33 Some of us like physical media that can’t be wiped out in a hard drive crash, thank you very much! And not everybody has a big fat internet connection with unlimited bandwith either. All my streaming friends complain bitterly about when they go over their limit for the month.

I’m with #32 and #33 on this one*. I tend to buy DVDs bare bones because I’m not that interested in special features unless it’s for something really great like classic Doctor Who, MST3K, or Who Framed Roger Rabbit, and even there I’m fairly one-and-done on the bonuses. So yeah, I think I’ll be sitting on this one for a while. If it goes on sale for $5 or whatever, maybe I’ll get it then.

*I’m with #35 on actually preferring something physical and longlasting though. Main reason why I don’t play many computer games anymore.

GornCaptain is right. In response to others preferring streaming, I am always amazed at how MUCH others are willing to pay to have such high-speed large data plans. You may be saving a few bucks by not buying a physical DVD, but you’re paying many many bucks for that ability.

It has nothing to do with joining the 21st century. Preferred media storage is exactly that. I’ve seen people disparage Blu Ray or DVD as if it is the “new floppy disk.” It is a false comparison. One might as well then disparage the servers that are storing things in the laughable “cloud”!

I can’t deny that the price is high for ten minutes. I was expecting 6.99, and like others, I can’t watch the extras over and over like a main feature. And this main feature is so short that it won’t be viewed multiple times. I do think it is an ideal “gift” to an MST3K fan. An absolute killer stocking stuffer.

I’m wondering if the DVD might be good for a small investment to sell for a little more if/when it goes out of print.

Ultimately, I think $7 for the DVD and $6 for download would have been very fair and very successful.

Whatever the case, WAY TO GO, FRANK. I’m just glad things are being created.

@37: Stephen King ruined the Dark Tower series so badly that bashing it anywhere on the Internet is justified.

As for the physical/streaming media debate, I am firmly in the middle. I prefer physical media if I am actually paying for something but streaming is damn convenient. And you can always make backup copies of all your stuff. Not all internet plans have data caps so it’s not like that’s an issue for everyone either.

Back to topic, $15 for this is too much, it’s only 10 minutes and I can’t see rewatching it a lot. This is presuming that it’s the same short that was in the CT shows last year which I am presuming it is. Don’t get me wrong, it’s great to see everyone collaborating and doing something again but I think this is just getting people’s hopes up for something bigger down the line and I am wary that will never happen.

Call me old fashioned but when I buy something I want to see it sitting on a shelf gathering dust. I would gladly pay $14.99 for a ten minute video. But it better be the best damn ten minutes of my life!

Just placed my order (using Sampo’s link, of course). I’m always glad to support the MST3K gang’s creative endeavors!

I’m another one of those who prefers physical media over downloads (although I do buy downloadable content from time to time). Streaming video isn’t an option with my poor Internet connection, and besides, I like having my movies and music and books in a physical format that won’t disappear with a hard drive crash, an EMP attack, or a DRM glitch.

The Frank is very cool yet so short. In the B & W version Joel’s voice is heard and the in the a special feature the Color version Mike’s version is heard, so it’s quite keen, one can only hope for a more full bodied crossover!

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